Method of recovering metals by electrolysis.



No. 669,440. Y Patented Mar. 5, I901.

H. A. FRASCH. v I

METHOD OF RECOVERING METALS BY ELECTBOLYSIS. (Application filed July 30, 1900.)

(No Model.)

r I wumioz I KZMW UNITED STATES PATENT Gr mes,

HANS'A. FRASOH, or HAMILTON, CANADA.

METHODOF RECQVERING METALS BYELECTROLYSISL srncryrcnmon formingpart of Letters Patent No. 669,440. dated March 5, 1901,

'r iaano fil d July so. 1900. Serial No. 25.293 (No ama Ontario,Canada, have invented a certain-new and useful Improvement in Methods of Re covering Metals by Electrolysis, of which the following is .a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to theel'ectrolytic separation, recovery, or refining of -.|netals,

such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and others.

In the extractionof metals from matte or' ores by the electric current the electrolytic solutions are obtained by the action of minoral or halogen acids upon matte or 'ores, either by direct chemical action or by means "of an electric current, and the solutions of the sulfates or chlorids which constitute the electrolyte are more or less impure. In my invention I produce an electrolyte of greater purity and obtain the direct extractionand reduction of those metals-whose hydroxids are soluble in alkalies or ammonia by the direct action of an, electric current-upon a salt of ammonium in. presence of an anode containing the metal tobe obtained, the ammoniumsalt-being recovered and used over again. For example,if ammonium sulfate be used as the electrolyte in presence of a copper or nickel bearing anode, copper or nickel ammonium sulfate is formed and the metal is deposited on the cathode, whence it may be recovered, whilethe ammonium sulfate is re-formed. By this means all the metals and substances contained in the anode which are not soluble in ammonia remain 'undissolved andthe copperorinickel is obtained without purification of the electrolyte.

Instead of ammonium sulfate the chlorid or any other ammonium'salt or any salt of an alkali may be used which is capable of forming a double salt with the metal to be extracted. The invention comprehends a method of producing an electrolyte of metals whose hy-i droxids are soluble in ammonia bypercolat-' ing-a solution of a salt of ammonia through an anode composed of disintegrated substance bearing the metal to be extracted and decomposing the salt of ammonia in the presence of a cathode by the action of an electric currams, r mp rent and successively-ciroulating the solution through the anode and past the cathode,

asvI will proceed" uow more particula ly to describe and finally claim.

In the accompanyingdrawmg I have shown me; but I- do not limit the invention in this case to the kindtof apparatuse'mployed,

The tank or vessel a, of suitable construction,-has the anode b in its bottom, and this .anode is composed'of a layer of disintegrated matte or ore bearing the metal or metals tobe extracted,to which the current is cond noted by means oficarbon reds or other-usual c'onductors silicious or electrically-neutral or inert material. 1

(1 represents the cath'odes,suspended in any suitable and easilyrremovable manner within the tank. These cathodes, preferably, are made of the kind of metal to be extracted, but may be of iron, carbon, or other suitable material.

e is a pipe by which the electrolytic solution may be introduced beneath and through the permeable, anode froma' tank or holder f, and g is an overflow-pipe opening-from'the' b. Above this layer is the diaphragm '0, preferably sand, ground quartz, or other inlvertical section one form'olapparatusby which my method may be earriedout, and in 1 my concurrent case, Serial, No. 25,292, filed 6o July 30,'1900,is,anotherand similar apparaupper portion of the 'tank and between the cathodes and leading to a receiver h.

The electrolytic solution is placed in the vessel f,

whence it is introduced into the pipe e, and thence discharged by hydrostatic or other pressure into and through the anode, 1, .rated and depositing the metal on the cathpermeating the matte and itself being satuodes. The overflowing electrolyte is conveyed by pipe gz'to the receiver h andyis pumped or otherwise returned to the holder through pipe t ands. suitable forcing appaejectorIbrother medium j and thence reused in the vessel.

Instead of conducting the electrolyte to a receiver or holder-it may be made to circulate directly through the electrolyzing apparatus.

What I claim is- .1. The method of producing sin-electrolyte of metals whose hydroxids are soluble in ammonia, which consists in percolating a soluthe anode and past the cathode.

'tion of a salt of ammonia through an anode composed of disintegrated substancebearing the metal to be extracted, and in presence of a cathode decomposing the salt of ammonia by the action of an electric current, and circulating the solution successively through 2. The method of recovering metals whose hydroxide are soluble in am monia,froin matte' or ore, by electrolysis, which consists in disintegrating or pulverizing metal bearing matte or ore, so as to render it freely permeable by an electrolyte capable ofcombin- 'ing with' the metal or metals to he extracted,

distributing such mass over the bottom ofthe vessel in which the electrolysis is conducted in connection with electric conductors to con stitute an. anode, covering such anode with a 1 granular, permeable, electrically-neutral substance, and passing arr-electric current between the anode and a suitable cathode. p K

and in connection with. electric conductors to,

constitute an anode, covering said anode with a granular, permeable, electrically neutral substance, circulating an electrolyte through the anode and the neutral substance and .in conta'ctwith the cathode, andpassing'an electric current between thej'anode' and the cathode.

4. The method of recovering copper and nickel, from matte 'or ore, by electrolysis,

which consists in disintegrating or pulveriz-.

-,ing *metal-bearing'matte'or ore'i'soas to render it freely permeable by an; electrolyte 'cap'able of combining with the metal'or metals to be-extracted, distributing such mass over the bottom of the vesselEin'which the electrolysis is conducted and in connection with electricconductors to constitute an anode, covering said anode with .a granular, permeable, electrically-neutral'snbstance, suspending in the electrolyte a number of cathodeplates by and upon which the metal is 'coltween anode and cathode.

v 5. The method of producing an electrolyte. and recovering metals from ore or matte, which consists in circulating an electrolyte capable of combining with the metal or metals so extracted successively throughv disintegrated'matte or'ore bearing the metal or metals to be extracted, a permeable diaphragm, andjpast the cathodearand at the sametime subjecting the electrolyte to'an ele'ctriccurrent. 4

a In testimony'whereof I have hereunto set myhand this 27th day of July, A; 'D. 1900.

HANS A. FRASOH.

Witnesses:

WM. H: Fmoxnn, C. A. NEALE.

lected, and passing an electric current be 

